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uberreinigerWhile reading tvtropes.org I came across the information that in Hebrew religious thought angels are not considered to be alive. (Specific quote is under the "religions and mythology" tab.) Can any of the Jewish folks reading this verify or clarify this stance? It's kind of mindboggling given all that angels are capable of. How can something walk, talk, sing, wrestle, cause disease, slaughter entire armies, induce* sleep, treat wounds, teach a man how to cook a fish, and imbue livestock with the power of speech and STILL not be considered alive? Is it because they are, as some say, mere extensions of God's will, lacking self-awareness? Plants, bacteria, and fungus are not self-aware yet they are certainly alive.
After some mental gymnastics I won't bore you with, it all got me wondering which is more "alive," a robot or a vampire? Think about it. They are the same. Neither requires oxygen or sleep. Vampires require blood, robots require power. When either starts to run out they became slower and less effective until they deactivate or go into a prolonged sleep, either of which resemble death from a biological standpoint. But put a fresh power cell in the robot or more blood in the vampire and they are ready to go again. None of this answers the truly important question: in a fight between them, who would win?
*This incomplete list of powers is taken solely from the Bible. Keep in mind that it's a book where angels are barely even mentioned. How knows what else angels can do? They do more without being alive than most people do in a lifetime. Go cure cancer you lazy, ungrateful living thing!
After some mental gymnastics I won't bore you with, it all got me wondering which is more "alive," a robot or a vampire? Think about it. They are the same. Neither requires oxygen or sleep. Vampires require blood, robots require power. When either starts to run out they became slower and less effective until they deactivate or go into a prolonged sleep, either of which resemble death from a biological standpoint. But put a fresh power cell in the robot or more blood in the vampire and they are ready to go again. None of this answers the truly important question: in a fight between them, who would win?
*This incomplete list of powers is taken solely from the Bible. Keep in mind that it's a book where angels are barely even mentioned. How knows what else angels can do? They do more without being alive than most people do in a lifetime. Go cure cancer you lazy, ungrateful living thing!
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Date: 2010-11-29 01:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 01:48 am (UTC)I'm always honored to meet a fellow Jew.
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Date: 2010-11-29 02:03 am (UTC)By then, my attention and faith really turned to the church, and one thing led to another, and was baptized. I still have a lot of affection for the tradition, though.
Certain theological beliefs in Christianity I found meaningful, and found more of a home there.
But, if you still feel comfy calling me a Jew, then that's fine too.
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Date: 2010-11-29 02:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 02:05 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-11-29 04:44 pm (UTC)THIS!!! Yes! I'm Christian and I am constantly astounded how very little my brethren know about their roots. Without our Judaic roots nothing about Christianity has any bearing or weight.